This is a letter sent by Jesse Norman to HMRC this week:
24 June 2014
Lin Homer
Chief Executive
HM Revenue and Customs
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
Hereford United (1939) Ltd
I wanted to update you about the latest situation regarding Hereford United (1939) Ltd, which trades as Hereford United Football Club.
As you know, I have written to you on a number of occasions, most recently in January 2014, to ask for forbearance in respect of the club’s overdue tax bills. These letters were sent in the context of a huge amount of local fundraising and the potential sale of the club to well-capitalised new owners.
The club has indeed changed ownership since January 2014 but to a different buyer, Mr Tommy Agombar. Unfortunately, I am not persuaded that Mr Agombar is able to meet the club’s financial obligations as they fall due. He has already allowed the club to be expelled from the Conference League due to non-payment of football debts and failure to post the required bond. Numerous other creditors remain unpaid, in addition to HMRC. As for cash flow, most of the fundraising efforts that had kept the club afloat in recent months have now dried up, while other local clubs have refused to play friendly games with Hereford.
In this context there is no proper justification for a policy of forbearance towards the club’s tax debts. I would encourage HMRC to do everything that you feel is necessary to secure what is owed to the Exchequer.
Best wishes,
Jesse Norman
Member of Parliament
Hereford and South Herefordshire